The Aptera is listed as 88 in. wide. That is 17 in. wider than my Nissan Leaf. That seems like a real concern. What do people who have actually seen/driven the Aptera think about this?
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One thing to keep in mind when looking at width of other cars with mirrors is they can be placed over the curb when parallel parking, & folded in, neither of which can be done with Aptera wheels. Also, unlike a wheel, when your mirror gets ripped off by a passing truck, you can still drive.
One thing to keep in mind when looking at width comparisons is that most other vehicle widths do NOT include the side view mirrors which can add anywhere from 6 inches to 2 feet, something that isn't an issue with the Aptera! For example the Nissan Leaf at ~71" is actually 79" with mirrors included.
I believe it does FIT in any modern traffic lane, but not some of those in my 100-year-old town, where a standard pickup parked right against the curb on each side leaves 9" of clearance for an Aptera & another pickup coming the other way.
There's NO clearance when that pickup stops a couple feet from the parked one, to let a passenger out after they slowly gather their belongings 🙄. My 500e zips right past.
It also does FIT in most parking spots, but leaves its wheels rather vulnerable below other drivers' visibility. It also fits for parallel parking, but again leaves the wheel vulnerable. Where I park, other cars have been sideswiped twice in the last year. Mine is narrower & therefore protected by the others. Aptera is wider & therefore much more likely to get hit, & much more likely to be undrivable, compared to another car's broken mirror or even dented steel.
I don't mind the width. I'm sure when the Ford Model T came out there were people who complained that it was wider than a horse and wouldn't fit in the barn stalls.
Well, I guess it depends on how you intend to use the "car". I live in an urban area. I would like to replace my car with an efficient vehicle like an Aptera. But it has to fit in a traffic lane; it has to fit in a parking spot; it has to fit in a high-rise parking garage. Otherwise, it is just a niche vehicle that is useless to me.
That is a great observation and a real concern. It is 8 inches wider than the Tesla Cybertruck which is considered by many to be too big. Tesla is contemplating in making a revised model for Europe. What many people don't realize is that the Aptera is actually wider when the front wheels are turned because of the wheel skirts. We don't always drive with the wheels straight. I often even maneuver the car in one of my garages to try and hug the right wall because of the large coupe doors of one of my cars. Won't be able to do that in the Aptera.
The wheels are wide. This cuts the wind resistance by more than 10% and adds stability = a considerable addition to the performance of the design. Aptera can be turned in tight situations by using tank turns, which don't require turning the wheels. You should be able to maneuver in your garage.
The wheels are wide. This cuts the wind resistance by more than 10% and adds stability = a considerable addition to the performance of the design. Aptera can be turned in tight situations by using tank turns, which don't require turning the wheels. You should be able to maneuver in your garage.
One thing to keep in mind when looking at width of other cars with mirrors is they can be placed over the curb when parallel parking, & folded in, neither of which can be done with Aptera wheels. Also, unlike a wheel, when your mirror gets ripped off by a passing truck, you can still drive.
One thing to keep in mind when looking at width comparisons is that most other vehicle widths do NOT include the side view mirrors which can add anywhere from 6 inches to 2 feet, something that isn't an issue with the Aptera! For example the Nissan Leaf at ~71" is actually 79" with mirrors included.
Here's what it looks like in a parking bay. For comparison I have included a typical pickup truck which is very common where I live.
I believe it does FIT in any modern traffic lane, but not some of those in my 100-year-old town, where a standard pickup parked right against the curb on each side leaves 9" of clearance for an Aptera & another pickup coming the other way.
There's NO clearance when that pickup stops a couple feet from the parked one, to let a passenger out after they slowly gather their belongings 🙄. My 500e zips right past.
It also does FIT in most parking spots, but leaves its wheels rather vulnerable below other drivers' visibility. It also fits for parallel parking, but again leaves the wheel vulnerable. Where I park, other cars have been sideswiped twice in the last year. Mine is narrower & therefore protected by the others. Aptera is wider & therefore much more likely to get hit, & much more likely to be undrivable, compared to another car's broken mirror or even dented steel.
I don't mind the width. I'm sure when the Ford Model T came out there were people who complained that it was wider than a horse and wouldn't fit in the barn stalls.
That is a great observation and a real concern. It is 8 inches wider than the Tesla Cybertruck which is considered by many to be too big. Tesla is contemplating in making a revised model for Europe. What many people don't realize is that the Aptera is actually wider when the front wheels are turned because of the wheel skirts. We don't always drive with the wheels straight. I often even maneuver the car in one of my garages to try and hug the right wall because of the large coupe doors of one of my cars. Won't be able to do that in the Aptera.